Preview: Munster v Scarlets
Munster are able to call upon Ian Dowling for their Magners League clash with Glasgow after the wing recovered from an ankle injury.
Munster are able to call upon Ian Dowling for their Magners League clash with Glasgow after the wing recovered from an ankle injury.
The hard-working back picked up the problem during the province's game against Edinburgh and will take his place on the wing for Thursday.
Also included in the starting XV is Niall Ronan who was also injured in that game while there is a return to action for Dave Ryan, who has been sidelined up to this after a shoulder operation.
With Ronan O'Gara and Tony Buckley not available this time round, Munster coach Tony McGahan makes eight changes in total from the side that lost at the Dragons last time, one of those positional with Paul Warwick stepping in at ten while Scott Deasy wears the fifteen jersey.
The accumulation of three yellow cards means Lifeimi Mafi gets and enforced rest so Tom Gleeson will partner Jean de Villiers in midfield as he did in the game against Connacht back in December.
Up front it seems a case of freshening things up with Damien Varley starting ahead of Denis Fogarty and Julien Brugnaut in at tight-head for the internationally engaged Tony Buckley.
After a good showing in Newport, Billy Holland continues his partnership with skipper Mick O'Driscoll while Niall Ronan's return to fitness sees him preferred to Tommy O'Donnell who is named on the bench alongside Alan Quinlan with Nick Williams starting at six.
Meanwhile, the Scarlets have boosted by the return of Wales duo Jonathan Davies and Ken Owens for the trip to Munster.
The rescheduled Magners League fixture at Musgrave Park will see the region enter feeling confident after an impressive beating of Ulster.
Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies has said he has been encouraged by the way his side are building on performances as the Scarlets face another crucial fixture in their mission to climb the Magners League table to reach Heineken Cup qualification next season.
Munster are currently fifth in the table and will be hoping for a win to help them secure a spot in the play-offs. The Scarlets, on the other hand, need points to help them gain advantage, with a game in hand over the Cardiff Blues, in the battle for automatic qualification for Europe.
Rewarded for a shining performance against Ulster, young 19-year-old scrum-half Tavis Knoyle keeps his starting place in a side that is largely unchanged from its last game on March 5 against the Ravenhill outfit.
Dan Newton retaining his spot at full-back as well as powerful winger Joe Ajuwa is also starting once again. Damian Welch comes back in onto the bench following time-out from a planned operation on his ankle.
“We have two historically tough matches to face now away in Munster and Edinburgh,” said Nigel Davies.
“We are just focusing on these two games as the first stage in a very important run-in to the end of the season for us. If we can go away and get something out of these next two games, it will put in a relatively strong position moving forward.
“Munster may not have all their internationals but we know they are still very strong and they always capable of putting in those massive performances as they've shown in Europe.
“But we are looking forward to these next two games, we have a certain amount of belief and confidence that we can put in a couple of good performances. The boys know that is what we have to do and I was pleased with the way we went against a strong Ulster side.
“We believe there is an opportunity for us out there.”
Form: This game from Round 11, which was badly disrupted by snow at the start of the year, has been rearranged for 18th March and pits current Magners League champions Munster against the 2003/04 Champions, Scarlets. Just outside the play-off zone, three points adrift of 4th placed Glasgow Warriors, Munster need the victory to keep in touch with the top four. The Welsh Region has won only once before on Munster soil, in September 2003, so have a tough task ahead of them. Munster tripped up 22-31 at Newport Gwent Dragons last time out on 6 March. The Munstermen's last nine matches in the Magners League have all been won by the home side on the day. Scarlets won their most recent encounter 25-8 at home to Ulster in the Magners League on 5 March. The Welshmen's last win outside of Wales in the Magners League was 17-14 at Connacht on 19 January 2009. Munster have won their last eight clashes with Scarlets in all competitions since Scarlets' 24-15 victory in the quarter-final of the European Cup on 30 March 2007. The Welsh region have won just once before on Munster soil: 19-12 at Thomond Park on 12 September 2003.
The teams:
Munster: 15 Scott Deasy, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Tom Gleeson, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Ian Dowling, 10 Paul Warwick, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Nick Williams, 5 Billy Holland, 4 Mick O'Driscoll (capt), 3 Julien Brugnaut, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Denis Fogarty, 17 Donncha Ryan, 18 Alan Quinlan, 19 Tommy O'Donnell, 20 Duncan Williams, 21 Jeremy Manning, 22 Denis Hurley.
Scarlets: 15 Dan Newton, 14 Joe Ajuwa, 13 Regan King, 12 Jonathan Davies 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 David Lyons (capt), 7 Richie Pugh, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Phil John, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Damian Welch 19 Rob McCusker, 20 Martin Roberts, 21 Daniel Evans, 22 Gareth Maule.
Date: Thursday, March 18
Kick-off: 19:35
Venue: Musgrave Park
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: D Phillips (IRFU) D Connolly (IRFU)
TMO: Sean Flannery (IRFU)